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Petras to Pursue Career In Law Enforcement

December 4, 2002 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Harrisburg Heat News Release


Harrisburg, PA - Harrisburg Heat goalkeeper Doug Petras has announced his acceptance into the Lower Paxton Township Police Department as a Police Officer, having finished in the top five from among the more than 200 candidates who began the hiring process. Petras will be sworn in on Monday, January 6, and will leave the Heat at that time to pursue a career in law enforcement.

"I've been very blessed to do what I've done for the past eight years," said Petras. "I've enjoyed my time here. It's been fantastic playing professionally in Central Pennsylvania. This decision was both easy and difficult to make, but law enforcement is a career I've always wanted to get into, and I feel I owe it to myself and my family to pursue this opportunity. I'd like to thank Dr. (Rex) Herbert and Mr. (Rod) Rumberger for providing me the chance to have a career here, and I look forward to becoming a fan of this franchise."

Petras was drafted by the Heat in the fourth round of the December 1993 Amateur Draft out of Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh. The native of North Huntington, PA ranks as the Heat's all-time goalkeeping leader in every major statistical category, including games played (212), wins (95), saves (3,324), save percentage (.724), and minutes played (11,699:23). He holds the team single-season records for saves (683, set in 2000-01), save percentage (.759, 1998-99), and wins (23, 2000-01).

The 30-year old finished third in NPSL Goalkeeper of the Year balloting following the 2000-01 season, the same season he was voted to the All-NPSL Third Team. Petras spent one year in the NPSL with the Chicago Power (1995-96), and also played for the Tampa Bay Mutiny of Major League Soccer. In this past Sunday's 12-10 Heat win over the San Diego Sockers, Petras became the tenth keeper in league history to register 100 career victories.

"Personally, I'm very happy for Doug Petras and his family," said Heat Coach Erich Geyer. "We all have to make, one way or another, decisions in our lives. The decision he had to make right now was not easy for Doug and his family, but there is more than just a pro soccer career in life. The opportunity for him is now and the players and myself wish him all the best in the future.

"It will not be easy to overcome losing a player of Doug Petras' caliber and leadership. But as with everything else in life, our team has to make up for the loss with an even stronger and united effort to reach our goal: the playoffs."

The only other goalkeeper currently on the Heat's roster is Raul Salas, acquired by the Heat in a September trade with the Dallas Sidekicks. From 1994-2000, the 31-year old Salas was perhaps the most successful goalkeeper in the game, going 104-38 and winning three titles with the Monterrey La Raza of the CISL/WISL (coached by Erich Geyer). Coach Geyer will also evaluate a host of free agent goalkeepers in the coming weeks.

"Doug Petras has always been a true professional," said Heat owner Rod Rumberger. "Not only is he an excellent goalkeeper, he's also done a lot for the community and the Harrisburg Heat organization. While we're sad to see him go, we support him in his efforts to start his new career, and we wish him and his family all the best. We look forward to his continued support as a fan over the years to come."

The Heat will complete its current four-game homestand with a pair of games this weekend. The Cleveland Force makes its first trip to Harrisburg this season on Saturday, December 7 (7:35 p.m.), and the Conference-leading Philadelphia KiXX visit the Farm Show on Sunday, December 8 (6:05 p.m.).

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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